Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation supports community development, human services, K-12 education and the environment in the Northern Chautauqua region of New York.

IP TAKE: Numerous funds held at NCCF are available for grants, so take some time to learn about these programs and what they typically support. NCCF is a big supporter of local public and environmental education programs, as well as historical preservation and events. Application begins with a letter of inquiry, usually due on the first of March and September. Full proposals are accepted by invitation only. This is a responsive funder with over 400 funds in its management, so reach out with questions or to see if your organization is a good fit. Geographic restrictions apply to many opportunities.

PROFILE: Established in 1986, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) is a community foundation based in Dunkirk, New York. NCCF began awarding its first discretionary grants through its community grants program in 1987. Today, the community foundation holds over 407 funds and awards hundreds of scholarships. NCCF aims to “enrich the area in which we live and work,” and it does this through establishing endowments, providing a vehicle for donors’ interests, promoting local philanthropy, stewarding funds, and providing leadership for local concerns. It funds local community development, human services, general education, environmental education, and youth efforts. Competitive grants currently support initiatives in the areas of K-12 education, arts and culture, community development and the environment. Grantmaking is mostly limited to communities of Northern Chautauqua County in the western part of New York.

Grants for K-12 Education

K-12 education appears to be this funder’s largest giving area, with several of its competitive grantmaking programs focusing on grants for local schools and out-0f-school learning opportunities. The foundation awards Service Learning Mini Grants of up to $500 to middle and high schools in Northern Chautauqua County that run programs “in which students use academic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs.” The foundation also awards the Luca S. Calanni Foundation’s Live Like Luca award, which helps sports organizations serve children and youth who might otherwise not be able to participate on account of financial need. K-12 grants are also awarded through the foundation’s community donor-advised funds, which do not name specific goals for education funding but which have nevertheless supported many local schools and educational programs. K-12 grantees include local Boys and Girls Clubs, KIDS at Promise and the Chautauqua Music Teachers Association.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Local arts and culture are priorities of several of this funder’s competitive and donor-advised funds, with many opportunities existing through funds designated for funding in specific towns and cities. The Ripley Community Heritage Fund and the Silver Creek Irving Heritage Fund, particularly, focus on historical preservation and events in their respective communities. Other funds name arts and culture as one area of focus in an array of broader giving. In recent years, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation has awarded grants to the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, the Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse, the Northshore Arts Alliance and the Sheridan Historical Society.

Grants for the Environment

Environmental grantmaking is an area of increasing interest at this this funder. Many recent grants have been awarded through the Northern Chautauqua Environmental Fund, which aims “to increase public knowledge of environmental issues in Chautauqua County, particularly those relating to Lake Erie and its watershed.” Grants of up to $500 have been awarded for public educational events and programs, hand-on school learning programs, internships, guest speakers and local research projects. Recent grant recipients of this funding program include the Greystone Nature Center, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the Audubon Community Nature Center.

Grants for Community Development, Work and Opportunity

Grants for community development, work and economic opportunity are made through many of this funder’s competitive and donor-advised funds. In many cases, funds work broadly to support community needs. One fund that names specific goals for its giving in these areas is the Lake Shore Savings Community Reinvestment Fund, which names low- and middle-income communities and financial education as areas of focus. Grantees from this and other funds that give for community and economic development include the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, the Westfield Development Corporation and Junior Achievement of the North County.

Important Grant Details

This community foundation makes about $1 million in grants annually to local organizations operating in the communities of northern Chautauqua County, New York. Grants range from $250 to $20,000, with an average grant size of about $1,000. This funder supports organizations of all sizes but tends to give to those that have a strong presence in the communities they serve. Many grantees receive ongoing support. For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s impact page.

This funder accepts letters of inquiry for two annual grantmaking cycles. Letters are generally due on the first of March and September, and must be submitted via email. Full grant applications are accepted by invitation only. For guidelines and due dates, see the foundation’s grants program time table. General inquiries may be directed to the foundation’s staff via email or telephone at (716) 366-4892.

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